Experimental analysis of the air- and water-based cooling solution for the three-phase line choke

Abstract

Modern power systems are affected by current harmonics. The high-order harmonics may result in overheating of the power system and lifetime reduction. Hence, the most novel power systems are equipped with three-phase line chokes. However, power losses generated in three-phase chokes result in a temperature increase within the choke. Most of the commercially available three-phase chokes are equipped with a passive air-based cooling solution. Such a solution results in an increase in the overall size of the device as well as an increase in the manufacturing costs. The water-cooling plates were installed in the commercial three-phase and the cooling performance of the air- and water-based cooling systems were experimentally compared. The chokes were analyzed at the RMS currents that corresponded to 100%, 75% and 50% of the nominal losses of the device. The temperature of the chokes was monitored with the thermocouples and precise IR camera. The comparison of the thermal results showed that the water-cooled choke outperformed the air-cooled unit. The core temperature of the device was reduced from approximately 110 °C to approximately 26 °C for the water-cooled solution compared to the air-cooled one. The temperature distribution in the windings was comparable for both solutions. The highest measured temperature exceeded 100 °C for both cooling solutions. The experimental results presented in this study can be used for further modification of the water-cooling system. Especially, in terms of the water panels’ shape, position and water inlet configuration. Such modifications should lead to further reduction of the device temperature, material and manufacturing costs.